Start here
The orientation page. Whether you're planning a two-week tourist trip or moving here for five years, almost everyone needs the same eight pieces of information first.
How to use this section: read the essentials list below in order, then pick the pathway that matches your trip.
The essentials
First time in Vietnam
The orientation read. What it’s like, what surprises people, how not to over-plan.
Visa basics
90-day e-visa, 15- and 30-day visa-free entries, the Phú Quốc carve-out.
When to come
Three climates in one country — get the month right.
Where to go
Five questions, ranked city list, suggested route.
What it costs
Quick estimate by traveller tier and trip length.
Money & ATMs
VND, USD, Wise, what cards work, what gets you ripped off.
SIM cards / eSIM
Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone — and the eSIM options that just work.
Travel insurance
The motorbike clause is the one that catches people out.
Emergency numbers
113 police, 114 fire, 115 ambulance — and the tourist police lines.
Scams to know
Mostly mild and avoidable once you know the pattern.
Decision guides
8 things to do before you book
The pre-booking checklist that prevents the most common Vietnam-trip regrets.
The visa decision
Visa-free vs e-visa vs Phú Quốc — the 5-minute decision.
The when-to-come decision
Three climates in one country — the month-region matrix.
The where-to-go decision
Five questions, then commit. The over-pack trap to avoid.
The budget decision
Backpacker $30/day to luxury $400/day. Where the money actually goes.
The safety overview
The honest read — motorbike, drink-spiking, scams. What’s real, what’s overblown.
The pre-flight checklist
What to do, install, and pack in the last 7 days before you fly.